Mexican workers fight for immigrant rights
By
Teresa Gutierrez
New York
Hundreds of Mexican workers marched over the Brooklyn Bridge
to New York City Hall on Dec. 12. The protest was organized by
AMAT--the Association of Mexican-American workers.
Dec. 12--a holiday in Mexico--was designated Mexican
Workers' Day by the New York City Council last year.
The Dec. 12 protest targeted brutal working conditions and
the rights of undocumented workers. Speakers at the City Hall
rally site stressed that the U.S. economy wouldn't function
without the labor of immigrant workers. Speakers demanded
amnesty for all undocumented workers.
On the same day, Associacion Tepayec and other groups won a
battle against the Giuliani administration. On Dec. 12 in
Mexico--celebrated as Lady of Guadalupe Day--people
traditionally sprint from church to church.
But last year Mayor Rudolph Giuliani refused to let people
celebrate this tradition in New York City. But after a
struggle, Mexican groups won a permit that allowed the
traditional run. However, the city restricted the route and
used the police to intimidate runners.
Both actions on Dec. 12 show the changing character of the
work force in New York City. As the population of Mexican
workers grows here, they are leading the struggle for immigrant
rights.
This article is copyright under a Creative Commons License.
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